Been a while since I was running a server. Just set up a new one and need a key. Could I get a key and some tips on enabling global groups?

I used to run the atrixnet server, but ran out of time to admin it. Now I have the time and resources to do it again, and would enjoy the chance to register my server with the rest of the world -- now at bzflag.networkspeedy.com on the default port (5154)

# In this example everyone in the SAMPLE.ADMIN group also gets the permissions
# of SAMPLE.COP, because of the *SAMPLE.COP entry which adds the permissions
# of SAMPLE.COP to SAMPLE.ADMIN, and everyone in the SAMPLE.OWNER
# group gets the permissions of SAMPLE.ADMIN (including the SAMPLE.COP) permissions
# because of the *SAMPLE.ADMIN entry.
# Must all be on one line
SAMPLE.COP:+FLAGHISTORY +KICK +KILL +BANLIST +PLAYERLIST +POLL +VETO +PRIVATEMESSAGE +ACTIONMESSAGE +ADMINMESSAGESEND +ADMINMESSAGERECEIVE +IDLESTATS +SPAWN +TALK +SAY +MUTE +UNMUTE +ANTIBAN +ANTIPOLL +ANTIPOLLBAN +ANTIPOLLKICK +REJOIN +SAY +FLAGMASTER
SAMPLE.ADMIN: *SAMPLE.COP +BAN +UNBAN
SAMPLE.OWNER: *SAMPLE.ADMIN +SETVAR +SHUTDOWNSERVER
MUTE: !TALK
# There are 2 "default" groups which are on every server they are
# EVERYONE and VERIFIED. EVERYONE is, well, everyone, including
# those in other groups. VERIFIED are users who have Globally Identified,
# also including those in other groups. You may include them in
# your group file. Permissions can be prefixed by one of 3 symbols +, -, or !
# +PERM adds a permission
# -PERM removes a permission
# !PERM denies a permission, even if it is inherited from another group.
# If the permission has no symbol + is assumed. If there is a conflict in perms
# between groups a person belongs to the order of precedence (from lowest to highest)
# is -, +, !. This means if there is a -PERM and +PERM, the permissions that the
# user gets is +PERM. On the other hand if there is a +PERM and a !PERM the user
# is denied that PERM. The order in which the permissions are in the group file
# is not important.
# The line below removes all of the default permissions from the EVERYONE group and then
# gives them back TALK and SPAWN.
# EVERYONE: -ALL +SPAWN +TALK

I wouldn't recommend using it, but it should give an idea on how a group file works.

There also has been some changes which should be noted from 2.x to 2.4.x
They are documented here: BZFS 2.4 Upgrade
Here's a short summary from it:

-public changed to -publictitle
-publickey specifies your server key for including your server on the server list
-utc logs server timestamps in UTC instead of localtime
-passdb removed
-requireudp removed
-offa selects teamless free-for-all game style
-time can specify end time for timed games
-noTeamKills can remove teamkilling possibilities from the map
Groups can now be referenced in the groupdb before they are defined

If you have your old group files and configurations, it should be possible to update them to the newest format.
Be sure to read through the current permissions, as there is a few of them which are no longer needed.(antideregister is one of them.)
Some plug-ins might also require custom permissions, so be sure to check out for that as well.

If there is any extra details/help is needed, feel free to contact me by private message.

-Zehra

Those who are critical of me, I'll likely be the same of them. ~ZehraThere's always something to remember and it's been a game I love. ~ZehraThe time spent is a time which can never be regained, so it's a time to enjoy. ~ZehraThe decisions we make are the ones we look forward too and the ones we regret. ~ZehraThere's a difference between knowing my name and knowing me, one shows respect to my name and the other is to who I am. ~Zehra

Welcome back, altrixnet! Been a long time - Good to see you back hosting!

"Trying to reason with a fool is like trying to teach a goldfish to bring you the newspaper"
"Sometimes people try to expose what's wrong with you, because they can't handle what's right about you."
"Measure your words -- they determine the distance of your relationships"

Welcome back, altrixnet! Been a long time - Good to see you back hosting!

Wow! Didn't think anyone would remember me. It's been a good long time.

The cloud instance I'm running the new bzflag server on gets a certain amount of bandwidth per month (basically all VPS or even bare metal dedicated servers are pay by the drop nowadays). Based on the bandwidth utilization I've observed thus far, I may be able to host multiple worlds/maps. I'll need to watch the needle for more time before I make the determination to go ahead with that though.

In the mean time, I will start a new thread about global groups, and current best practices for admins... I have a few questions.